The Ultimate Air Fryer Chicken Rissoles (Juicy & Easy!)

Imagine a perfectly golden-brown, juicy little patty, packed with savory flavor, flecked with parmesan and fresh herbs, and made unbelievably easy in the air fryer. That, my friends, is the weeknight dinner magic of these Air Fryer Chicken Rissoles. They are tender, delicious, secretly packed with veggies, and finished with a zesty honey mustard dressing. This is, without a doubt, the most requested recipe in my home for a quick and healthy meal.

I promise you, from the moment you mix the simple ingredients to the second you pull these golden beauties from the air fryer, you’ll be in love. They are incredibly versatile, perfect for a light lunch, a satisfying dinner, or even as a hearty appetizer. They are a true show-stopper that feels special but is secretly one of the easiest things you’ll ever make.

Get ready to discover your new go-to air fryer recipe and create a batch of stunning, delicious rissoles that the whole family will devour.

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Why You’ll Make These Rissoles on Repeat!

You are going to be amazed at how simple and delicious these little chicken patties are. This recipe is a keeper. Here’s why you have to try it:

• Perfectly Juicy, Never Dry: Thanks to the hidden zucchini and the magic of the air fryer, these chicken rissoles stay incredibly moist and tender on the inside.
• Quick, Easy, and Minimal Mess: With just 15 minutes of prep and a 10-minute cook time in the air fryer, this is the ultimate easy weeknight dinner with very little cleanup.
• Packed with Hidden Veggies: Grated zucchini blends in seamlessly, adding moisture and nutrients that even the pickiest eaters won’t detect.
• Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of parmesan, garlic, shallots, and a zesty honey mustard dressing makes every single bite a flavor explosion.
• Great for Meal Prep: These rissoles are fantastic served warm or cold, making them perfect for prepping ahead for easy lunches, salads, or quick dinners.

Recipe Snapshot

Your Shopping List for These Juicy Rissoles

This recipe uses simple, fresh ingredients to create its incredible flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:

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→ For the Chicken Rissoles

• 500g lean chicken mince → Also known as ground chicken. It’s the perfect lean base.
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs → These Japanese breadcrumbs create a wonderfully light texture.
• 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan → Adds a fantastic salty, umami flavor.
• 3 green shallots → Thinly sliced. They provide a mild, fresh onion flavor.
• 2 garlic cloves → Crushed, for that essential savory kick.
• 1 egg → Lightly whisked, to bind everything together.
• 1 zucchini → Coarsely grated. This is our secret for unbelievably moist rissoles!

→ For the Honey Mustard Dressing

• 2 tbsp olive oil → The smooth base for our dressing.
• 1 tbsp lemon juice → For a bright, zesty tang.
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard → Adds a sharp, complex flavor.
• 1 tbsp honey → For a touch of sweetness to balance the mustard and lemon.

Let’s Get Cooking! Your Step-by-Step Guide

Ready for the easiest, most delicious meal of the week? Let’s get that air fryer ready!

Part 1: Mix and Shape the Rissoles

1. Squeeze the Zucchini: This is a crucial step! Place the grated zucchini in a clean kitchen towel or a few layers of paper towels and squeeze out as much excess liquid as you possibly can. Set the dry zucchini aside.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chicken mince, panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan, sliced shallots, crushed garlic, and the lightly whisked egg. Add the squeezed zucchini to the bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Mix Gently: Using your hands, mix all the ingredients together until they are just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the rissoles tough.
4. Shape and Chill: Scoop out 1/4 cupfuls of the mixture and roll them into 10 balls. Place them on a tray lined with parchment paper and gently press them down into 7cm (about 2.5-inch) rounds. Cover the tray and place it in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes. This step is key to helping them hold their shape!

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Part 2: Air Fry and Serve

5. Prep for Frying: Lightly spray the chilled rissoles and your air fryer basket with a little oil.
6. Air Fry to Perfection: Arrange the rissoles in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd it (you may need to cook in two batches). Cook at 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are beautifully golden brown and cooked through.
7. Whisk the Dressing: While the rissoles are cooking, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and honey in a small bowl until well combined.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the hot rissoles drizzled with the zesty honey mustard dressing.

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Easy Air Fryer Chicken Rissoles

These Air Fryer Chicken Rissoles are incredibly juicy, flavorful, and easy to make! Packed with hidden zucchini and parmesan, they cook to golden-brown perfection in just 10 minutes for a healthy and delicious weeknight meal.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 10

Course: Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Modern Australian

Calories: 150

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken Rissoles

• 500 g lean chicken mince
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan
• 3 green shallots, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 egg, lightly whisked
• 1 zucchini, coarsely grated

For the Honey Mustard Dressing

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp honey

Equipment

• Large Bowl
• Air Fryer
• Small Bowl
• Tray

Method

 

Part 1: Mix and Shape

1. Combine mince, breadcrumbs, parmesan, shallot, garlic and egg in a large bowl. Squeeze all excess liquid from the grated zucchini and add it to the bowl. Season with salt and pepper and mix until just combined.
2. Shape 1/4 cupfuls of the mixture into 10 balls. Place onto a lightly oiled tray and gently press out to 7cm (2.5-inch) rounds.
3. Cover and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to chill. This step is crucial for helping them hold their shape.

Part 2: Air Fry and Serve

1. Lightly spray the rissoles and the air fryer basket with oil. Arrange rissoles in a single layer in the basket, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
2. Cook at 180°C (350°F) for 10 minutes, flipping halfway, or until golden brown and cooked through.
3. While the rissoles cook, whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and honey in a small bowl until well combined.
4. Serve the hot rissoles drizzled with the dressing.

Notes

Squeeze the Zucchini: Squeezing as much water as possible from the grated zucchini is the most important step to prevent soggy rissoles.

Don’t Skip Chilling: The 30-minute chill time is essential for helping the rissoles firm up and hold their shape during cooking.

Don’t Crowd the Basket: Cook in a single layer to ensure the hot air can circulate, creating a perfect golden-brown crust.

Nutritional Information Disclaimer: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on the specific ingredients used.

WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Perfect Rissoles

These simple tricks will ensure your chicken rissoles are juicy and delicious every single time.

1. Squeeze That Zucchini! I cannot stress this enough. Zucchini holds a surprising amount of water. Squeezing it out is the most important step to prevent the rissoles from becoming soggy and falling apart.
2. Don’t Skip the Chilling Time. That 30 minutes in the fridge is not just for show. It helps the rissoles firm up significantly, which ensures they hold their shape perfectly and don’t fall apart when you’re transferring them to the air fryer.
3. Don’t Crowd the Air Fryer. For that beautiful, even golden-brown crust, the hot air needs to circulate around each rissole. Cook them in a single layer, and if necessary, cook them in two batches. It’s worth the extra few minutes!
4. Mix with a Light Touch. When combining the ingredients, mix only until everything is incorporated. Overworking the chicken mince can result in dense, tough rissoles instead of light and tender ones.
5. Use Finely Grated Parmesan. For the best texture, use a microplane or the small holes on a box grater for your parmesan. This allows it to melt evenly and incorporate seamlessly into the mixture for the best flavor.

Keep It Fresh! Storing Your Rissoles

These are fantastic for meal prep! Here’s how to store them properly.

• Refrigerator: Store cooked and cooled rissoles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store the dressing separately. They are delicious cold in salads or wraps!
• Freezing: You can freeze the rissoles both cooked or uncooked. To freeze uncooked, place the shaped patties on a parchment-lined tray and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Cook from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the air frying time. Cooked rissoles can be frozen and reheated easily.

FAQs: Your Chicken Rissole Questions, Answered!

Can I bake these in the oven instead of an air fryer?

Yes, absolutely! Place the chilled rissoles on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Easily! Simply substitute the panko breadcrumbs with your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

What should I serve these with?

They are incredibly versatile! Serve them with a big green salad for a light lunch, with roasted vegetables and potatoes for a full dinner, or sliced up in a wrap or pita with some fresh greens for a quick meal on the go.

Can I use a different kind of ground meat?

Of course. This recipe would also be delicious with ground turkey. If using ground beef or pork, they will have a different flavor profile and may release more fat during cooking, but the method remains the same.

Final Thoughts: Your New Weeknight Hero

There is nothing quite like a recipe that is quick, healthy, packed with flavor, and loved by the entire family. These Air Fryer Chicken Rissoles are a true kitchen superstar, delivering a delicious and satisfying meal with minimal effort. I hope they become as much of a staple in your home as they are in mine. Happy cooking!